Daily Times

A high-level delegation led by Deputy Minister for Health and Medical Education of Iran visited the Ministry of National Health Services Regulations and Coordination met the Special Advisor to Prime Minister Dr Zafar Mirza, Director General Health Services Dr Assad Hafeez and focal persons for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) project.

Speaking to the delegation, Dr Zafar Mirza expressed satisfaction over Pak-Iran collaboration in the health sector. He expressed his desire to work closely with his Iranian counterpart in further strengthening the existing partnership especially on the NCD agenda.

Director General Health Services Dr Assad Hafeez shared brief demographic background and burden of diseases in Pakistan. He gave briefing on UHC BP and prioritization of NCDs interventions in Pakistan. Representatives of the provincial/area departments of health shared their status of burden of NCDs and the initiatives for different programs in respective provinces.

Deputy Minister for Health Professor Bagher Larijani gave overview of health system of Iran that is run by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education through its network of health establishments and medical schools in the country. He emphasized that strengthening inter-sectoral collaboration in NCD agenda can deliver effective outcomes.

Dr Zafar Mirza stated that development of national action plan for control of NCDs and mental health in Pakistan is under process. He showed keen interest in regular exchanges between the two countries and follow-up actions on agreed agendas during the visits, and reiterated to deepen bilateral cooperation to strengthening the health system.